07/02/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/02/2024 11:04
West Orange, NJ, July 2, 2024-With the summer here, RWJBarnabas Health is hosting several blood drives throughout July and August across its healthcare facilities to help reduce shortages already experienced at many of our facilities.
Life-saving blood and platelet donations are given to patients in a wide range of circumstances, including cancer care, trauma events such as car accidents and home accidents, childbirth, and mass casualty events. Historically, blood and platelet inventories drop during the summer months when donors are on vacation or off from school and college.
"Fewer people think about donating blood during the summer, but accidents and medical emergencies don't take a vacation," said Sally Wells, Business Development and Community Liaison for Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital's (RWJUH) Blood Donor Services. "Blood and platelet donations could be the difference between life and death for someone in need. This is why donations are needed throughout the year, but especially during the summer when hospitals across the state experience declining supply levels."
A full list of upcoming blood drives, starting with those occurring in July, include:
July
Conference Rooms A, B, C, 600 River Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
August
Conference Rooms A, B, C, 600 River Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701
Donors must be 16 or older, weigh at least 110 pounds (120 pounds if 16 years old), and present photo identification. Donors who are 16 and 17 years old require written parental consent. If the donor has a history of viral hepatitis at age 11 or older or is recovering from an infectious illness, they are ineligible to donate.
To make an appointment at a fixed RWJUH Donor Room or to find a blood drive location near you, please visit https://www.rwjuhdonorclub.org or call 732-235-8100 ext. 221.
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About RWJBarnabas Health
RWJBarnabas Health is the largest, most comprehensive academic health care system in New Jersey, with a service area covering eight counties with five million people. The system includes twelve acute care hospitals - Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, Community Medical Center in Toms River, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston, Jersey City Medical Center in Jersey City, Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus in Lakewood, Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset in Somerville, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton in Hamilton, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Rahway in Rahway and Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth, three acute care children's hospitals, Children's Specialized Hospital with a network of outpatient pediatric rehabilitation centers, a freestanding 100-bed behavioral health center, two trauma centers, a satellite emergency department, ambulatory care centers, geriatric centers, the state's largest behavioral health network, comprehensive home care and hospice programs, fitness and wellness centers, retail pharmacy services, affiliated medical groups, multi-site imaging centers and two accountable care organizations.
RWJBarnabas Health is among New Jersey's largest private employers - with more than 41,000 employees and 9,000 physicians- and routinely captures national awards for outstanding quality and safety. RWJBarnabas Health launched an affiliation with Rutgers University to create New Jersey's largest academic health care system. The collaboration aligns RWJBarnabas Health with Rutgers' education, research and clinical activities, including those at the Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey - the state's only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - and Rutgers University Behavioral Health Care.
Contact: Carrie Cristello
[email protected]